Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim: 'Electronic Flies' in Our Gulf Media Space Backed by Governments and Intelligence Agencies

Former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim warned on Monday about what he termed “electronic flies” on social media platforms, stating that governments and intelligence agencies support them to spread “poison” and damage Gulf relations.

Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim wrote on his X account: “I read with interest what Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid wrote, and I agree with everything he said about the social, cultural, and geographical factors that unite Gulf countries, their shared history, and the economic, developmental, and cultural successes these nations have achieved compared to other parties in their region.”

He added: “I also agree with His Highness’s warning about the dangers of the improper use of social media and the harm and damage it can cause to relations among our countries and peoples.”

He further stated: “I have warned about this many times before, in 2017 and thereafter. I have always said that the electronic flies spreading their poison in our Gulf space are backed by governments and intelligence agencies in some countries.”

He also noted that “unless our countries work hard to prevent this malignant disease from taking hold and stop it, it will become a factor that undermines any ambition to strengthen sound and fraternal relations among Gulf states. This requires deliberate and urgent government decisions that are implemented without delay or favor.”

Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim pointed out that “disagreements occur between countries,” adding that they “must be resolved through dialogue and calm diplomatic handling, allowing for some differences in approaches without causing enmity among the Gulf Cooperation Council states.”

He continued: “I wanted to commend what His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid wrote and to emphasize that the coming days are important and require our attention, vigilance, and caution. Officials and decision-makers must demonstrate the required level of responsibility in these critical times the region is experiencing.”

He also added: “Unfortunately, there are no friendships, or what we used to consider friendships; rather, there are interests now. These interests should not be paid for in advance before the parties first define and agree on their exchange.”

Earlier on Monday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, addressed a message to the citizens of the Gulf countries, urging them to uphold unity despite differences and diversity, and warning that social media and news platforms could divide them, as well as those he described as “people with narrow agendas and sick minds.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid wrote in a post on his official X account, as part of his book titled “Messages”: “A message to the sons of the Gulf, a message to the most beautiful dream… a message to our shared history… our extended geography… our common ancestry… our deep familial ties.”

He added: “A message to the single sea that unites us… the vast desert that encompasses us… a message to our Arabian Gulf… its people, generations, intellectuals, and thinkers.”